Updates on the whole college admissions business

[Sisterplum]

Carolyn!!!!!! I haven't heard from you in eons darlin! And now I know why, you've been going crazy with worry! No worries anymore darlin.....you're in!!!!!!

Congrats chicky....I know how hard you've worked over the past year to get in! I'm soooo happy for you!

PM me or email me soon, I wanna know what's been going on in your life (besides the obvious excitement of getting into UCI!) I miss chattin' with ya chicky!

[carnation]

YEAH!!!!WAY TO GO!!!!FELICIDADES!!!!


And I hear they have some of those fabulous girls of the wine and blue on that campus!!!!

[justamom]

I have read your posts and "watched" you grow for amost 9 months now. You are going to shake up the WORLD! I have NO DOUBT about that! Congratulations, dear one, I am so happy for you!

[newbie]

Thanks everyone for being so supportive!!

I'm still on my emotional high! I just got back from a celebratory dinner, and couldn't quit smiling throughout the whole thing, LOL. I'm STILL smiling. Nothing can wipe it off my face (well, maybe that I have two tests to study for, but that's OK...this has made my YEAR!).

Right now I think UCI is my second choice. More that I think about it, I'm not sure that UCSB fits me that well. Both schools have severe pros and cons, but I think when it comes down to it, I probably would like UCI more. UCI and UCSB have always been interchangeable for me in preference...I keep on switching my mind! (Which is weird because these two schools are total opposites of each other.) But, now that I've been admitted to Irvine, I don't really care that much if I'm not to get into UCSB. I'm just positively DELIGHTED (on top of Cloud Nine) that Irvine has accepted me. I feel on top of the world, seriously!!!!

Oh, LOL, I can also browse the UCI Greek Life website without thinking, "But what if I get rejected from UCI?"

However, I still love USC. I'm still waiting on that school! But, whether or not I am accepted to USC, at least I know that I'll be completely content as to where I'm headed this fall!!! And that feels wonderful, being that I had so much self-doubt this whole senior year.

Thank you again for all your kind words, everyone! And justamom, that was the sweetest thing I've read in a long time . Thank you!! GLG, I cannot wait to meet you! Sandy, did you know that I can't catch Days of Our Lives anymore? I can't get NBC anymore, now that they have switched channels! I also read Soap Opera Magazine and was sad to read that Belle is breaking up with Shawn . Sisterplum, it is SO nice to hear from you again. I will definitely email you soon -- watch for it! Carnation -- congrats on your cheerleading girls!!! You must be so proud!

[SilverTurtle]

This is a bit late, but Congratulations anyway!!!!!!

I'm excited for you! Wherever you end up, you'll do great I'm sure!

[bucutie02]

newbie,
I am so happy for you! You deserve it!! Congrats!!!!

[TigerGirl52]

Car...I'm so so so so happy for you!!!!! Congratulations honey on all of your success. Just think...you're just beginning. You're gonna knock 'em dead wherever you go. UC-Irvine is soooooo incredibly lucky to have you as a new student. Congratulations again and may you have continued success in everything you do!!!!!

Allison

[pbpck]

Congratulations, kid. I have many friends that go to UCI and if you ever need some greek recs, you know you can always get in contact with me and I will give them a heads up for a wonderful girl coming through rush.

If you end up at UCI, you'll only be a short drive away from me! Congratulations again. Savor the emotional high you are on right now!!

pbpck

[Chrysanthemum]

Hi Newbie-

If you do choose UCI, I just want to let you know that I'm looking forward to seeing you during Recruitment.

Congratulations on getting into one of your top choices, I know waiting always sucks. Go take yourself out for chocolate cake to celebrate!

[newbie]

Hey all! [Warning...this is super long...sorry!]

I'm absolutely ecstatic! These past few days have been incredibly fantastic. Well, must start with the less-thrilling news, first, before I get to the interesting part .

Yesterday, I got to my first class, and my friend immediately said, "Hey did you check online yet?!" I was like, "Huh? Why? What for?" She was like, "UCLA has their decisions posted up! So does UCSB, and UC Davis." I was like, "Oh, wow, really? I totally forgot about that...too excited about UCI!" LOL. I'm so happy for my friend, BTW...she got into UCLA!!!! That is her backup, though...she's waiting for Columbia and Georgetown (god, is she smart!). I really hope she gets in...she is an absolute sweetheart.

So, I left the next class - homeroom - early, to rush to the computer lab, where tons of seniors were clustered around the computers checking out the various college websites. First, I checked UCLA's. I knew I had no chance. Well, they had the letter posted up, with the "We regretfully inform you..." blah blah blah. I was not, in the least, surprised. I had only applied to please my parents, since my sister went there. I only worried about how my parents would take the news. Luckily, later in the night when I got home, they were totally cool with it, being that I had good news to eliminate the bad news about UCLA! So then I checked UCSB's. I was shell-shocked when I saw the words "Status: Not Admitted." I froze and stared at those words with absolute disbelief. I thought, "How the heck did I get into Irvine and not Santa Barbara?!" (BTW, I thought it was harsh that UCSB didn't at least post a letter with "We regretfully inform you..." - like UCLA had at least did. What a harsh way to let people know they're not accepted.)

So then I had to get going to my AP Econ class. We were taking a test yesterday, and all I could think about was, "Why didn't I get into UCSB?!" I totally seemed to forget that I had already crossed off UCSB from my list, after I got into UCI. I knew that if I were to go to UCSB, my grades would slip down the toilet...I'm very susceptible to certain environments. I was just shocked and disappointed. For so long, UCSB had been one of my favorite schools, up until I was admitted to UCI. So, it was just disappointing...I fought back tears as I took my Econ test.

After the test, I rushed back to the computer lab. I had tried - to no avail - to get into UC Davis's Admissions Status website before (when I was checking UCLA's and UCSB's), but they had changed their entire website just yesterday (or the night before), so it was extremely hard to find everything. So, finally, I found the Admissions Status website. I was absolutely ecstatic when my status page opened up with the words, "Congratulations!" I was thrilled. Immediately, my disappointment and confusion about UCSB's decision disappeared. I was like, "YAY!!! UC Davis accepted me!!!" I had always liked Davis, but crossed it off my list because I didn't think I'd get in. Davis is usually a LITTLE bit harder to get into compared to Irvine, but both schools are pretty much equal in quality.

So then, I went to my next class. I was so sad to see some seniors crying...they had not gotten into UCSB, Davis, and UCLA. One of the girls was so sad that she didn't get into UCSB. Like me, she was shocked. We both have relatively good grades, above average SAT I and II scores, pretty good essays...etc. Most think UCSB is a shoo-in. Now, all she can hope is for UC San Diego and Berkeley. Sadly, though, if UCSB doesn't accept a person, it's highly unlikely that UCSD or UCB will!

Throughout the whole day, I felt super happy, but the whole day was difficult for many seniors. Many were so angry about UCSB...if we get into Irvine and Davis, then UCSB's decision should almost be automatic. Seriously. However, I know there are many factors that go into a decision. It's shocking to hear of so many super-smart people getting rejected from UCSB (these people I know of have super high GPAs, great SATs, etc.). Those of us that weren't accepted to UCSB but to UCI, Davis, etc. have already formed a theory about UCSB's admissions. However, it's kinda mean so I won't post it here! Weirdly enough, I know of only one senior who was accepted to UCSB...who wasn't accepted to UC Davis or Irvine! Strange, huh?

After school, I went to the mall. I saw girls that used to be my best friends (freshman and sophomore year) at the makeup counters, and I joined them. All had red eyelids, a result of crying. I felt so badly for them. Although we are no longer close, they are always people I will treasure. They all asked me to apply concealer to their eyelids, as their lids were swollen and puffy. They sadly/angrily told me they weren't accepted to any of the competitive UCs (so far). Now, they can only hope for UCSD, Berkeley, or Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (not a UC). Unfortunately, though, it's extremely difficult to get into UCSD or Berkeley, especially if one isn't accepted to the other UCs. I didn't know what to say to them. I couldn't believe that they weren't accepted...all are extremely bright and talented.

Admissions is such a weird game. I say "game," because one never knows who will be accepted. I know of a person who wasn't accepted to Davis, with a 1450 SAT score (!!!!!) and a great GPA. I have no clue why I was accepted, if he wasn't. And of course there's UCSB. Such an outcry about them at my school. And then the other UCs...it's really a toss-up, it seems. Our school is basically in a state of shock over what has all happened to so many of our students, getting rejected, though with stellar stats.

I'm just so happy that I got into Davis and Irvine. I had worried about this for SO long, felt hopeless at times...worked so hard on my essay, always feeling it wasn't perfect enough...thought I would end up at my safety...berated myself for making stupid choices soph year that I thought would hurt my chances for admission... This just feels so incredibly awesome. I feel so blessed.

Gosh, I'm so sorry to go on for SO long! Hope you are all still with me . Just wanted to say that I feel so grateful that I have been blessed throughout this whole admissions process! I'm so ecstatic that I have a choice between Davis and Irvine now. Though I'm still waiting to hear from USC, now I don't really mind if I'm rejected from them. I feel that whatever happens, is meant to be. And I'm absolutely, positively thrilled that I might be headed for either UCD or UCI this Fall!!

Thank you all for your supportive, wonderful posts to me!! You all are above AWESOME!!

[IowaHawkeye]

I heard that California schools look a lot more at and weight community service, activities involvement, and extra curricular stuff very heavily. is that true?

Congratulations on UCI and UCD - those schools are sooo lucky to have such an amazing prospective student!

[carnation]

Newbie, this is so fantastic! Will it be hard for you to choose between the 2? I'm so glad you could see that UCSB might not be the best choice for you...you know what's best, no doubt!

Wow, this sounds just like rush to me. Even though rush is really difficult here in the South, I think that the college admissions process is easier! What do you want to bet that there are tons of infuriated parents storming the doors of certain California universities on Monday?

[DeltAlum]

Newbie,

Congratulations! Glad the trauma of waiting is over.

Quick update on our son whom I spoke of earlier. He has been accepted into the Musical Theatre program at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. They took 20 out of 750 applicants. That's great news. That and Northwestern were his top choices.

What made the wait almost unbearable is that for the programs he wants, he not only had to have the grades and test scores, but also audition for the departments. He's a National Merit Finalist, so the grades weren't a problem -- and he had a 33 ACT and 1530 SAT, so the tests were fine. Waiting for the audition results were pure agony.

Now we're waiting for scholarship decisions since he has been offered a full academic scholarship to another university. He could get one at Cincinnati, but we won't know for another week.

This is our youngest child, so this college admission thing is almost over, Thank God!

Have a great time in college!!

Making kids wait for this stuff is sadistic.

[TriDeltaGal]

Newbie,
Been there, done that, bought the T-Shirt!
I absolutely know what you are going through with the whole UC application and acceptance process. I have a theory going that despite what the admissions offices say, that they actually just pull names out of a hat for the acceptance list. But seriously, you got into two very amazing schools so be proud of yourself! If you want to PM me, I will tell you my crazy story about my experience applying the the UC system, that will make you feel ten times better about your own. Anyway, congratulations you have accomplished an amazing feat and I wish you even more luck with all of your other decisions.

P.S. I heard the TriDelts at UCI and Davis are awesome!

[newbie]

Originally posted by IowaHawkeye
I heard that California schools look a lot more at and weight community service, activities involvement, and extra curricular stuff very heavily. is that true?

Well, supposedly, here is how UC does admissions:

1) most importantly, grades and strength/rigor of classes taken (APs, honors, etc...they especially look at the context you are in...does your school only offer 2 APs or 20 APs?). Also, if there is marked improvement between soph and jr years, and a strong senior year (as in, classes taken). In addition, if the applicant has taken more courses than required by UC.

2) Test scores

3) Essay

4) Activities and honors...especially leadership positions. Special talents, work experience, perseverance in overcoming obstacles, significant community service

5) If you come from disadvantaged environments, that is a plus

So, yes, activities are extremely important. I know this guy who was rejected from UC Berkeley who had a 4.2 GPA and a 1500 SAT score, with 700+ on all three SAT IIs, but had little activities to put on his app. On the other hand, this guy with a 3.5 and above average test scores (but not stellar ones) got in but held many leadership positions. But, grades and test scores are much more important to UC than are activities. The essay is also much more important than activities.

This is from what I've read and heard from the UC Admission counselors.

Oh, and thanks for the congratulations Iowahawkeye!